RubberSideDown

^

I've got a Forcefield back protector as well as the Limb Tubes- their stuff is really top-notch. I've been considering an action shirt, but I really don't need the forearm protection as all my jackets have it built in, but it's just such a cool piece of gear.

Your idea would work well- I'd feel comfortable riding in that.

I've got a pair of A* Bionic Freeride shorts that I wear under my leathers, but in retrospect I should have bought the Forcefield Action shorts.

8K is very reasonable in LOS- that's about what they go for in the US. I don't live in BKK, but maybe I'll stop by the next time I'm in town (which will be soon). I've corresponded with Jack via FB, and I agree he's good to deal with.

If you want a low-cut boot, you can find the Alpinestars SMX-1 boots shipped to LOS fairly cheaply (they might be available locally at a decent price somewhere)- I have a pair for casual riding- I really like them and they don't stand out so they're fine off the bike, but they do give up some protection to a full boot. For a reasonably-priced full boot that offers a lot of features and safety (though not the most comfort), the new SMX-6 vented boots look like a very good buy.

Recently bought some vented SMX-6 from riders outlet, much more safety features than the SMX-5 they replace and uber comfortable, was really surprised by how they were to walk in and look great too.

That's good to hear as I'm considering a pair for general street use as I'd like something more protective than my SMX-1 boots for when I ride at a higher pace (though for casual riding the SMX-1 boots can't be beaten for comfort combined with decent protection), but not as hardcore as my Vortice or Supertech R boots.

How much were they at Riders Outlet? The only issue I have with them is they tend not to stock larger sizes (I wear a 54 jacket and they often only sell up to 52, though they sometimes go bigger- same with boots as I need 46/47 and they usually stock up to 44/45).

If you ride in regular jeans, I highly recommend adding some decent, unobtrusive knee protection. I love my Forcefield Limb Tubes (smaller sizes can go on your elbows/forearms)- they offer CE-rated impact protection, and you'll hardly know they're on- they're available at Panda Rider:

Thanks. Will check these out next time I am in BKK. Does Panda usually have them in stock ??

Possibly as they just got a big delivery of stock (according to their FB page)- shoot them an email or give them a call.

Try Riders-Outlet BKK on Facebook- they get a lot of Dainese and A* gear- it's pricey, but worth checking out.

Cool- for a short boot you can't go wrong with them.

As I mentioned, I was hit with tax of about 35%- I've ordered shoes before, and I've never been hit harder than that.

I bought my SMX-1 boots on sale through an eBay seller who was letting them go for $100 +$69 shipping to LOS (normal price is $169 without shipping)- I paid 1K in taxes, so the whole deal cost me a bit over 6K- this was only a couple months ago.

Note I'm a US size '12', and A* boots have a tendency to run a bit big- I ordered Euro size 46 and they're perfect, where I'm size 47 in some other boots- just FYI- it was the same for my A* Supertech R boots.

http://www.pandarider.com/Revit/RevitProductsFootwear.html

would the fighter H20 be any good.. full boot is a bit big right now.

I like Rev'It stuff, and the reviews on the boots are decent, but the price is really bad, even for LOS- it's a discontinued style, and they were going for the equivalent of 4200 baht when they were closed-out- for 8K, you can get much better boots, or spend less on an equivalent/better boot like the SMX-1 or Streetburner boots mentioned on this thread (even with shipping and import taxes).

If you're only interested in protection, I would say the following:

The Sidi Vortice Air boots are about the most protective boots you can buy- they're not terribly comfortable and they take a long time to put on, and you look really strange in them unless you're within touching-distance of a motorcycle, but if I had a crash I'd want to be wearing a pair:

The Alpinestars Supertech R boots are also up there in protection, but they have an inner-bootie system and can get pretty warm- they're also fairly comfortable if you need to walk in them, and don't have a sci-fi look like the Sidis:

There are also some really nice boots from Dianese, TCX, and a couple other manufacturers, as well as others in the Alpinestars and Sidi lines- expect to pay $300-$500. Your feet will nearly always hit the ground in a crash, and force transmitted up your leg is the most prevalent cause of knee injuries (meaning your knee doesn't have to hit the ground to be screwed up)- the best boots reduce this force, and also have braces to reduce torsional strain on your ankle.

If you want a low-cut boot, you can find the Alpinestars SMX-1 boots shipped to LOS fairly cheaply (they might be available locally at a decent price somewhere)- I have a pair for casual riding- I really like them and they don't stand out so they're fine off the bike, but they do give up some protection to a full boot. For a reasonably-priced full boot that offers a lot of features and safety (though not the most comfort), the new SMX-6 vented boots look like a very good buy.

Be careful as it takes some getting use to. When i first had mine i almost lost it at slow turns from stop lights. Maybe it was set to stiff. I never had one in the past and under normal conditions probably not needed.

Under normal conditions definitely not needed- it's the abnormal stuff that gets you.

I followed the HyperPro recommendations- I added a click or two every ride until it felt 'right'- I'm six clicks in, and that's where I leave it unless the road is complete crap.

Wow. The Gear-Man.

Yes, I've gone a bit overboard... I can't resist a good deal- most of it I got on close-outs- I practically stole some of it, especially the Teknic stuff and the Supertech R boots.

I don't remember the eBay seller- I would have gone for the best deal.

I read every review I could find before ordering (Revzilla is always good for size reviews) and pretty much all said they ran a size large, so I went a size below what I usually wear in jeans and they were fine.

I agree it's risky ordering gear online- I research everything thoroughly, and I almost always get it right.

That said, there are different styles of a Drayko jeans and I don't know if the size discrepancy is consistent down the line.

Mine came through (from eBay) without added tax, but that's hit-or-miss. The Drayko Jeans run pretty big- at least one size- and very long.

I've got a bit of a thing for gear- I try to be ready for all temperature conditions, but I really should have more water-proof stuff (at least one full set)- this is what I've got at the moment:

Alpinestars Orbiter suit

Dainese Rebel perforated leather jacket

Dainese G. 3 Air textile jacket

Vanson Pro Perf Mark 2 Sportrider jacket

Teknic Violator perforated leather jacket

AGV Sport Topanga perforated leather jacket

Fieldsheer perforated leather jacket

Icon Stryker Rig armored mesh jacket

Alpinestars T-GP Plus Air textile jacket

AGV Sport Willow perforated leather pants

Teknic Chicane leather pants

Drayko Renegade jeans

Alpinestars A10 Air-Flo textile pants

Spidi Race Vent gloves

Knox Handroid gloves

Alpinestars Supertech R boots

Alpinestars SMX-1 boots

Sidi Vortice vented boots

Shoei RF-1100

Shoei GT-Air

Various armor from Knox, Forcefield, and Alpinestars for back, hips, knees, chest, including Bionic Race back protector, Bionic shorts, and Dainese Norsorex vest

Drayko Jeans (sold as Draggin' Jeans in some countries, I believe) are the only one that have passed the CE-level one abrasion test- they run a bit warm, but they aren't bad. For casual riding I'll wear them with Forcefield Limb Tubes and EVS hip/coccyx protection.

I have a lot of riding gear, and I mix-and-match for riding and weather conditions.

Wantan isn't a troll- he does often give people grief, but he will also give those same people props for other things- he judges the post and not the poster, so I have to give him credit for that.

^

OK- I agree it looks like a nice helmet- Motorcycle Superstore is closing some models out, and they ship to LOS- the reviews are pretty mixed, though:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/18264/i/arai-corsair-v-helmet

I'd also like to know what you ride- I've got a 14R, a Wave, and an MSX-125, and I'm looking at literbikes.

Which one of us is 'you'?

Showbags- I know what you ride.

I'd also like to know what you ride- I've got a 14R, a Wave, and an MSX-125, and I'm looking at literbikes.

I think the current RX7-RR5 here in Asia is the equivalent of the European RX7-GP and NA Corsair V ?

At least saw a ton of them in Chiap Lee, Singapore last time I was there.

Maybe- I don't know Arai as well as I know Shoei- it's possible the numbers are different in the States as opposed to Europe (Shoei also does that with the RF line, which is called XR in Europe)- you could be correct- I do know that the RX-Q line was made to replace at least some versions of the RX-7 line in the US.

^^

The RX-7 line is discontinued, I believe- I think the RX-Q is the replacement.

There may be some leftovers, though.

^

I like the sun visor as I take a lot of sunrise rides where I need to switch to sunglasses halfway through, and it saves me having to stop. It also comes with a pin-lock visor. It's nice to have a quiet helmet regardless of the use of earplugs, especially if you use some form of headphones for a GPS, telephone, music, or whatever as there will be less background noise.

'Sportiness' isn't really about posing- the RF line has less wind turbulence at speed than the GT-Air, and its profile lends itself better to a tucked position.

Take a look at the new Shoei RF-1200- I've been wearing the RF series for 15 years (I'll be buying a 1200 when my current RF-1100 wears out) and it works well for any type of riding. I also quite like my Shoei GT-Air- it's a step up from the RF series, but it's not quite as sporty- it's got great air-flow and is an excellent choice for LOS, though.

I'm going to join meechai- I'm done with the thread as well.